Chris Cannata

About Chris Cannata

I’ve spent my career taking complex energy problems (technical, political, and commercial) and turning them into strategies that businesses can act on. My background spans hydrogen, electricity, natural gas, data center power, renewables, BTM and conventional generation, with experience on both the buy side and sell side across every major North American market, including oversight of global portfolios representing 700–800 MW of load and 200K–300K Dth/day of natural gas. That breadth allows me to see around corners how policy shifts affect development, how market design shapes commercial value, and where operational constraints become business risks.I work directly with C-suites, boards, utilities, regulators, and legislators, translating market signals and regulatory realities into clear choices. That ability led to being consulted by policymakers and contributing to the Inflation Reduction Act, along with guiding global companies through grid constraints, price volatility, and major strategic pivots, including delivering $100M+ enterprise impact at a Koch Industries subsidiary through optimization models, clean generation strategy, and regulatory interpretation:• Built new business lines and growth platforms across emerging and established energy markets.• Structured high-impact partnerships and joint ventures that advanced commercial objectives.• Shaped multi-billion-dollar generation strategies aligned to markets, regulatory, and portfolios.• Created commercial frameworks and operating models that strengthened enterprise value and long-term positioning.• Led initiatives spanning development, regulatory strategy, large-load power planning, and cross-functional execution:My leadership is grounded, analytical, and built on doing what’s right for the organization. I’m known for distilling complexity, building trust quickly, and stepping into ambiguous situations with a plan. I add the most value to organizations that need a strategic operator, someone who can connect policy, markets, and business strategy while building partnerships and systems that endure.

Experience

1. Director, Hydrogen

   EDF power solutions North America

   May 2021 — Present · San Diego, CA, US

   Lead the North America hydrogen business with a focus on CAISO, ERCOT, and Canada, including strategy, market analysis, identification and origination of hydrogen project opportunities, lead portfolio of hydrogen projects in liaison with individual project managers from project initiation to final investment decision, developed and improved delivery capabilities including internal expertise and external partnerships, supported improvement of company systems and processes to suit hydrogen project development cycle, supported identification of strategic investments and organic growth opportunities (e.g, project, technology, products or services, new markets within hydrogen value chain), originated then negotiated long-term offtake agreements, created innovative contractual pricing structures, and drove geographic hydrogen business growth while managing commercial development activities. • Created the Vision, North American business plan, Marketing message, and GTM strategy for EDF Renewables’ entry into the North American green hydrogen market. Executed day-to-day activities and was extremely hands-on even as team grew in response to positive internal and external reactions.• Created hydrogen V&A models, power generation dispatch models for hydrogen co-firing, and negotiated long-term offtake agreements.• Developed and managed a team of up-to-15 tasked with creating an up-to-3-GW project pipeline with up-to-1-GW installed electrolysis capacity online by 2035.• Acted as liaison between EDF Renewables North America, the global EDF Group, and Hynamics worldwide.• Served on the American Clean Power Association Hydrogen Board, with the Green Hydrogen Coalition, and with HyDeal LA.

Education

• Wichita State University

  Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA, Business Administration and Management, General

  2003 — 2007

• Newman University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Business Administration and Management, General

  2011 — 2013